Travel Tips: How
to Make Any Trip Easier

One way to minimize
the frustration and maximize the pleasure is through good
planning. Here are some tricks of the trade I've learned.

Packing

Choose your
luggage carefully.
Some is heavy before you even start packing. Lifting a
roller bag over your head after you've packed it can require
a weight lifter. (Consider putting your laptop or heavy
books in an outside pocket that you can take out before you
put it in the overhead.)

We often hear "less is more" - and certainly that is the
case when you're on the road. According to Consumer Reports
8% of passengers who check luggage report something lost or
stolen, so if you can't afford to lose it, don't check
it.

If looking good when you get there is important, wearing
something that travels well and is still suitable for the
occasion will save valuable luggage space, and if bag is
lost, you can go "as is."

Clothing

Exercise clothing?
(equipment) If you're going to be in the same hotel for
several days, consider sending ahead bulky items, such
as exercise clothes or reading material, to arrive
before you do. (If you require a signature on the
recipient end, you can easily trace the package when you
arrive if necessary.)

Choose clothes with
lots of flexibility - for example, flattering slacks to
wear with a casual sweater during the day or a dressy
jacket for evening.

Clothing that can be
layered for warmth

Dark clothing won't
show spots and can be worn longer

Pick one basic color
and choose everything else to match

Put clothes in dry
cleaning bag to minimize wrinkles

Hang in hotel bathroom
to steam out wrinkles

Roll up socks and
underwear and tuck into corners or in shoes

Get travel sizes of
toiletry items: Carry them in a hanging bag with clear
plastic dividers so you can see in a moment's notice
what's missing. If you travel frequently, always keep
this bag packed and ready to go.

The most important thing to
take when you travel is a good attitude. Spend less time
fretting about the frustrations, and more time enjoying the
opportunities, such as a time to read without interruption
or a fabulous meal at a local restaurant. Keep your sense of
humor and enjoy yourself.

Rental Cars

Rent same color every
time (white is easy to see) - put something in rear
window for identification, such as one of your business
brochures)

If you like to sleep
in dark room, take clip (potato chip or binder clip) for
holding curtains together.

Water bottle for
flight (its a trade-off: weight versus comfort)

Dealing with
Airlines:

Getting seat you want:
no window or aisle seats open, ask the ticket agent for
a middle seat between two passengers with the same last
name. Couples often book aisle and window, hoping that
center will go unclaimed, and they'll trade.

Any flight delay
entitles you to a refund, even on a nonrefundable
ticket.

According to latest
statistics, 99.5) of checked bags get to right airport
at right time. Of the .5 percent classified as
"mishandled", 8 out of 10 are returned to their owners
within 24 hours. (Always put identification INSIDE bag
in case outside tags are torn off.)

Mantra: "May I speak
to your supervisor?"

Traveling
with your PC?

Hide your PC in a bag
that doesn't resemble a laptop carrying case.

Never keep passwords
or access phone number on the machine or in the case.

In hotel rooms, use
cable locks to attach to stationery furniture, or store
in safe - be sure to log off!

Don't check your
laptop or store in overhead luggage compartment

Back up your data
frequently, and store separately from your laptop.

Keep your laptop in
view at all times when going through security.

Security always
involves a trade-off between protection and convenience
- how valuable is your information?

Back up data via the
Web using services

The time to control travel
is before you leave; when you're on your way, flexibility is
the key to survival!